Five Nights at Freddy's 3

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,507 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Five Nights at Freddy's 3 Game Cover
While it's better than the first two, Five Nights at Freddy's 3 suffers from an unresponsive defense mechanic.
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In Five Nights at Freddy's 3, players become a night guard at a horror attraction based on the shuttered Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. Using security cameras and limited power resources, they must survive against animatronic horrors, including the phantom animatronics from the past. The game introduces a new terror, Springtrap, a decaying animatronic survivor of a past tragedy, seeking to avoid destruction and escape into the world once again.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,507 reviews
gameplay266 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,011 mentions

    The gameplay of Five Nights at Freddy's 3 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking the engaging mechanics of its predecessors. While some appreciate the introduction of new elements like audio lures and system reboots, others criticize the reliance on luck and the overall simplicity, leading to a less thrilling experience. Despite its flaws, the game is noted for its strong lore and atmosphere, making it a worthwhile play for fans of the series, albeit with tempered expectations regarding gameplay depth.

    • “Spring-trap's design is awesome, same with the phantom's; gameplay is hard and unpredictable, story deep and well-written.”
    • “The gameplay is really fun, but heavily relies on RNG.”
    • “Probably my favorite gameplay loop of the classic FNAF series, not as unforgiving as the first with more clues to react to and counterplays you can do, but doesn't have an easy dominant strategy like 2 does.”
    • “But the gameplay is so boring.”
    • “The game mechanics certainly don't help the game whatsoever, the first night being a throwaway, and the rest of the nights (except for aggressive nightmare mode) being way too easy, just makes the whole entire game incredibly boring.”
    • “The gameplay loop is repetitive and boring being the same thing over and over again, check where springtrap is lure him to cam 10 via audio if he is in the vents seal the vent thus leading him back to cam 10 and you're done.”
  • story982 mentions

    The story in "Five Nights at Freddy's 3" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, providing significant lore expansion and a darker narrative that ties together elements from previous games. Players appreciate the incorporation of mini-games that reveal crucial backstory details, particularly regarding the character Springtrap and the overarching plot of the series. However, some critics note that the storytelling can be convoluted and may require external resources, like fan theories or guides, to fully understand the narrative intricacies. Overall, while the gameplay may not be as engaging, the story remains a compelling aspect that resonates with fans of the franchise.

    • “Springtrap has such iconic design and story, and I think that is what is really disturbing and what makes this game so special despite being one of the simplest.”
    • “The story is extremely good and getting the good ending is very satisfying.”
    • “The game delves deeper into the backstory and events surrounding the haunted animatronics, providing players with more clues and mysteries to unravel.”
    • “The story is more confusing and the mini games have too many unreasonable codes hidden in them.”
    • “Anyone praising this game for its story should seriously reconsider what it means for a game to have a good story if it's required to watch a MatPat video on YouTube to get even a morsel of coherent story out of it, because on a casual play-through the story tidbits are extremely obscure and hard to find, and the awful core gameplay does not compel me to seek them out.”
    • “The game is made by its story, which is largely community created, and the game plays to this in the usual ways: ambiguous 8-bit minigames and a whole heap of easter eggs that unlock different minigames and a mildly different end.”
  • atmosphere266 mentions

    The atmosphere in Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is widely praised for its eerie and tense qualities, effectively immersing players in a dark, unsettling environment that diverges from the series' traditional pizzeria setting. Many reviewers highlight the game's sound design and visuals as key elements that enhance the overall experience, creating a sense of dread and melancholy, although some note that the jump scares fall short of expectations. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its appeal despite criticisms of gameplay mechanics.

    • “The atmosphere is eerie and, for the first time in the series, it does not occur in a pizzeria.”
    • “Fnaf 3's pervasive atmosphere of loss and mourning evokes a sense of melancholy that resonates with the human experience of grief.”
    • “The atmosphere is insane, going through minigames trying to get the good ending is fun, and the game is challenging... at least to me.”
    • “Even more of the atmosphere is gone in this one as now there is only a single animatronic to deal with, this is easily the least scary game in the entire franchise (FNAF World was scarier because it exists).”
    • “All in all, Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is a shocking game, the first and second both have original aspects that make them the scary games they are, such as sound, atmosphere, and vision; however, FNAF 3 lacks all of these aspects and isn't good enough.”
    • “It doesn't have any of the atmosphere that the two earlier games have, and the horror in it is almost not there.”
  • graphics196 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visual quality and atmospheric design that enhances the horror experience, particularly the detailed animatronics and the grungy aesthetic. However, some players find certain visual elements unappealing or overly simplistic, leading to a divide in opinions about the overall effectiveness of the graphics. Overall, the game is noted for its significant graphical improvements compared to previous installments, contributing to a more immersive and creepy environment.

    • “The graphics are amazing.”
    • “This game's graphics perfectly build the eerie atmosphere and sense of dread throughout the building.”
    • “The visuals are really amazing and accurately convey the mood.”
    • “The visuals look like someone (literally) puked on the screen, but the general gameplay loop was executed pretty well here - though the game is one of, if not the easiest in the series.”
    • “The horror attraction aesthetic loses its appeal really early on, as the omnipresent green slowly goes from creepy to just bland and gross looking even after the first few nights.”
    • “The only thing I think Scott did wrong with this was some of the graphics looked kind of flat and fangame-y (especially the toy animatronic's box), and how Scott made a whole teaser (the toy animatronic's box) for something nothing to do with the gameplay whatsoever.”
  • music132 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and immersive atmosphere, with various music boxes contributing a calm yet unsettling vibe. Players appreciate the emotional impact of the soundtrack, particularly during key moments like the endings, where the music effectively symbolizes the release of trapped souls. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant enhancement to the gameplay experience, with many players expressing a strong affinity for it.

    • “The minigame music alone is so transformative and emotional.”
    • “The music and ambience is amazing.”
    • “The various music boxes have such a calm yet off-putting vibe, especially the final ending screens (the good ending with music that sounds hopeful or at peace to symbolize the souls being freed, and the bad ending with a rigid music box that sounds out of tune and broken).”
    • “And if you fail a night, the call doesn't play again, which leaves you with just the background music for the whole night.”
    • “In FNAF 2, it bordered on being literally impossible to pass nights if you used the camera to do anything other than wind the music box.”
  • humor122 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding the character designs, particularly Springtrap and other animatronics, to be amusing rather than frightening. Many reviews mention the comedic elements of the gameplay, such as funny jumpscares and absurd scenarios, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the game's horror theme. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor and scares, often laughing at the game's quirks and the antics of the characters.

    • “Springtrap is a funny bastard to fight against, and the lore this game added to the series is amazing.”
    • “I didn't get very scared; I find the game kind of funny actually, like when Phantom Foxy comes, it's hilarious.”
    • “When I sealed the vent, I didn't do it in time but I thought I did, so when Springtrap got me, I nearly fell off my bench and I laughed so hard... thank god I have a good sense of humor...”
  • grinding50 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling it requires an unrealistic time commitment. Reviewers describe the gameplay as boring and unnecessarily difficult, often leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While some acknowledge moments of fun, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from the experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's just tedious.”
    • “I would never recommend this game to anyone, not even a die-hard fan. The game is boring, long, tedious, and most of all unnecessarily difficult.”
    • “Most tedious and repetitive game out of the series, unless we count Security Breach... then 2nd most...”
  • emotional44 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of transformative music, heartwarming minigames, and a bittersweet narrative that evokes strong feelings, including tears of joy and sadness. Players report a range of emotions, from nostalgia and relief to frustration and emotional scars, particularly regarding the game's ending and character designs. Overall, it is described as a deeply affecting experience that can leave players feeling both touched and disturbed.

    • “The minigame music alone is so transformative and emotional.”
    • “Wow, this game really opened my third eye. It was a magical experience; I cried in the beginning thinking of my dog who passed away when I was 19.”
    • “I don't want to spoil the ending or story, but I'll just say that this is the most emotional and bittersweet Freddy's game.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players enjoy the multiple endings and hidden secrets that encourage replay, others find the experience lacking due to repetitive gameplay and a lack of engaging content after initial completion. Many reviews highlight that once the secrets are discovered, the game's replay value diminishes significantly, with some players noting that the difficulty can detract from the enjoyment of replaying. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are elements that can enhance replayability, they may not be enough to sustain long-term interest for all players.

    • “Extremely fun, high replayability, multiple endings; RNG can ruin it sometimes.”
    • “The game's multiple endings give this game more replayability.”
    • “I do not mind the smaller amount of nights in this game, because, like the other installments in the series, I believe it has quite a bit of replay value, and, in this specific game, two achievable endings.”
    • “No replayability at all.”
    • “Cheap jumpscares, loose storyline, and no replay value.”
    • “Great FNAF game, lacks in replayability though.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by exceptional character designs, particularly that of Springtrap, which is praised for its horrifying yet human-like qualities. Reviewers note that the aesthetic and atmosphere enhance the overall experience, with Springtrap being a standout character that embodies the franchise's horror elements effectively. The lore and character designs are considered some of the best in the series, contributing significantly to the game's immersive storytelling.

    • “Amazing story and character design.”
    • “Killer atmosphere, top-notch character design in the form of Springtrap, and lore that nearly matches the quality of the second game.”
    • “I also really like the character design of Springtrap and how he feels more 'human' than the animatronics in the previous works of the FNAF franchise.”
    • “The character designs look weird except Springtrap's.”
    • “I also really like the character design of Springtrap and how he does feel more 'human' than the animatronics in the previous works of the FNAF franchise.”
    • “If I had to say anything positive about the previous FNAF games, it would be that the character designs of the animatronic characters fit really well with the setting and world.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The stability of the game varies significantly between platforms, with the PC edition being described as "incredibly buggy," while the mobile version may offer a smoother experience. Players report a mix of enjoyable glitches that can enhance gameplay, particularly in challenging modes, but also note some frustrating issues, including system reboots. Overall, while there are notable glitches, many users still find the game enjoyable and recommend it despite these stability concerns.

    • “May have better luck with the mobile edition, but the PC edition is incredibly buggy.”
    • “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “Excellent game with a few glitches that add to the difficulty of the aggressive nightmare mode.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization of the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise has drawn criticism, particularly for the later sequels, which some players feel have devolved into cash grabs that exploit the original's popularity. Despite this sentiment, there are still elements of gameplay that maintain a sense of challenge and engagement, suggesting that not all players view the monetization negatively. Overall, the franchise's later entries have sparked debate over their value versus their commercial intent.

    • “The first three games of the franchise are pretty scary, but after FNAF 4, those sequels just lose their appeal, turning into a cash grab by exploiting the franchise.”
    • “While haters scream about how FNAF fans are 'dumb 8 year olds' and 'FNAF 2 and 3 are just cash grabs,' there is clear evidence to support otherwise, but it feels like a money grab.”
    • “The first three games of the franchise are pretty scary, but after FNAF 4, those sequels just lose their appeal, turning into a cash grab by exploiting the franchise.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Five Nights at Freddy's 3

Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2hMain story
6hCompletionist
2-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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